Commercial Beer Tap Systems: Everything to Know and 6 “Gotchas” to Watch For
When designing and developing a restaurant, bar, or brewery, there’s no time for mistakes, especially when purchasing and installing commercial beer tap systems. However, even if you have the best intentions and an efficient team, mistakes are more likely to happen if you don’t have good customer support when choosing a vendor.
Being aware of these challenges is the first step to finding adequate solutions. So, what should you keep an eye out for? In addition, how do you know you’re purchasing the right equipment for your specific circumstances?
The Benefits of Investing in the Right Commercial Beer Tap Systems
There are so many choices when it comes to selecting a beer tap system that it’s easy to become overwhelmed. However, investing in the right beer dispensers for your commercial space is integral to its success. Not all dispensing systems are created equal, and you should take into account your specific circumstances.
The benefits of finding the right commercial beer tap systems for your circumstances include:
KEEPING UP WITH DEMAND
If you run a high-demand bar, it behooves you to bypass kegerators and opt for a tap system with multiple faucets. You’ll also want to install an adequate number of faucets—both to serve every type of beer you offer and to ensure orders are taken as fast and efficiently as possible.
Maintaining Beer Freshness and Taste
Different types of beer require different types of equipment. For example, you’d need a D coupler for American brews, while German varieties require A or M couplers. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
There are many different types of couplers, and various breweries design their kegs to work with specific couplers. Installing the right one will ensure that (a) it will fit the keg valve and (b) it hooks up correctly to the pressurized gas that’s necessary for each type of beer (e.g., CO2 or a blend of CO2 and nitrogen).
Serving Beer with the Right Amount of Carbonation
Nobody likes a flat or an excessively foamy beer. So, to keep everyone happy — and coming back for more — it’s crucial to use the correct amount of pressure and type to push the beer from the keg to the tap.
This is why you should pay close attention to PSIG, which refers to pounds per square inch of gas as it appears on a gauge. If CO2 is the pressure against beer, accuracy is critical in maintaining the beer's carbonation flavor characteristic and preventing foam. The PSIG often is between 12-15 for most ales and lagers. CO2 has limitations, though, such as long systems and those where temperature fluctuates. The correct mix of CO2 and nitrogen blend allows for a higher PSIG, overcoming CO2 shortfalls.
Keeping Your Establishment Sanitary
It's important to clean your beer system every two weeks to prevent bacteria from developing a film that can cause flavor and visual changes. Additionally, it's recommended that you brush the outside of system components to remove debris.
It's more hygienic to use stainless parts such as faucets for durability, bacteria resistance, and to maintain taste.
Common Types of Commercial Beer Tap Systems
There are many different kinds of commercial draft beer systems to choose from. The most notable ones include:
Direct draw dispensers require that kegs be stored nearby since the beer is drawn straight from the keg to the faucets. They are easy to install and ideal for smaller commercial spaces — such as a convenience store or small bar — since they have limited keg space.
Another option for smaller commercial spaces is air cooled systems. These work by using either a single or double-insulated air duct with a large blower fan to circulate the air and maintain beer temperature from the keg to the faucets.
These systems are becoming less popular as maintaining temperature is challenging within the entire distance. Compared to CO2, using a gas blender for pressure enables kegging at higher PSIG, preventing foam issues due to temperature fluctuations.
Glycol-Cooled Beer Dispensing Systems/Long-Run Systems
Glycol-cooled beer dispensing systems include beer lines wrapped in foil and insulation that run along tubing filled with food-grade antifreeze solution (glycol) to maintain the beer's cold temperature long distances between keg storage and the glass.
This makes it ideal for larger commercial spaces like restaurants, casinos, and stadiums.
Self-Serve Beer Tap Systems
Depending on your type of establishment, installing self-serve dispensers may work well with your customers. This helps patrons get their drinks sooner, lowers operations costs, and often results in higher sales volume.
You can monitor how much everyone is drinking (and ensure you get paid for it) by providing guests with wristbands with RFID technology or requiring credit card payment right at the dispenser.
Average Costs of Installing Commercial Draft Beer Systems
The expenses associated with setting up a commercial draft beer system can vary based on your dispenser requirements. You can expect to spend a few hundred dollars per tap for a simple system. Conversely, a glycol tap system might entail costs ranging from $1000 or even higher per faucet. Therefore, the system choice should be influenced by available space, the anticipated range of products/volume to be served, and the preferred equipment.
Top Considerations That Impact Installation Costs
You’ll also want to look at other considerations when you’re budgeting for installation costs, such as:
- 304 Stainless Steel Draft Beer Systems
Stainless steel Type 304 is a highly durable material excellent for components used in draft dispensing systems. It is resistant to corrosion and the growth of bacteria, making it ideal for equipment used in the food industry. Additionally, it is easy to clean and maintain. And, as if these practical elements weren’t reason enough to purchase systems made of this material, it also has aesthetic appeal. - Flavourlock Tubing
Flavourlock tubing has an inner bonded layer that reduces the ability of yeast and bacteria to adhere. It also preserves beverage quality by preventing the loss of carbonation, flavor, and aroma. It can be used to dispense beer, wine, and other kegged products. - Types of Beverages Served
In addition to beer, on tap solutions can serve other high-demand beverages, such as coffee, nitro cold brew coffee, kombucha, wine, and cocktails. If you serve some or all of these options, having them available on tap translates to less waste of glass bottles and aluminum cans for your business. It also lets you allow customers and venue guests to sample your products before they decide to buy them.
6 “Gotcha’s” to Watch Out For When Installing Commercial Draft Beer Systems
1. Unreliable Customer Service
An excellent commercial beer tap system purchase requires much more than simply delivering the equipment to your business. You want a vendor who will consider your space, design, the scope of your project, and the number of locations to be served.
You also want to ensure that their timeline for getting things done is compatible with your timeline of being open for business. Finally, you’ll want customer support that offers training for you and your entire team.
2. Lack of Knowledge
Some draft beer system providers may talk a good game but need to gain more knowledge of their product, the different commercial tap systems, or the nuances of the industry. Many manufacturers utilize a rep model, where salespeople rep various lines of equipment. While some may excel in one area—such as design—they may come up short in another, such as installation.
One common problem is that many beverage dispensing solution providers need to undergo a comprehensive training program that covers all aspects of the process. A true partner should understand commercial tap beer systems, from draft beer tower capabilities and remote system installation to troubleshooting and profitability.
3. A Cookie-Cutter Approach
Many tap system providers take a one-size-fits-all approach to their projects. The glaring problem with this strategy is that something other than what may work for one venue will work for another.
Whether it’s creating a unique draft beer tower that ties in with a particular brand and vision or solving a space issue, customization is key. Yet, some fabricators aren’t willing to provide customized options because this can significantly extend production time—a luxury most bars and breweries can’t afford.
4. Low-Quality Components
To maximize profit, some beverage dispensing companies may seek low-cost components and raw materials from foreign markets where quality control is minimal or nonexistent.
This affects the end product — whether it’s improper cooling within a commercial draft beer system, poorly graded beer lines, or an unsatisfactory pour from the draft beer tower. Subpar equipment or components upfront ultimately means more maintenance and repair down the road.
5. Improper Maintenance
In addition to installing commercial beer tap systems that are ideal for your specific needs, it’s crucial to be well aware of all maintenance requirements. This includes how to clean the beer taps, how often they should be cleaned, and ongoing replacement of worn or defective parts.
6. Failing to Have a Plan
Even if everything seems to be moving along seamlessly, it’s good to be prepared to troubleshoot when you have a packed house.
It is crucial to ensure that you and your team possess the necessary skills to handle common issues that may arise while serving beer, such as cloudy beer, lack of or too much foam, or failure to dispense beer from the tap. You should know the correct temperature for storing kegs, the settings for regulator gauges, and how to check if couplers are installed correctly. Doing so will enable you to deal with any possible issues promptly and efficiently.
Solutions For Common Commercial Beer Tap System Issues
The best way to save the day when things aren’t going as planned is to know how to troubleshoot common issues. These include:
Flat Beer
Depending on the type of beer you're serving, your dispensers must protect their recipe of carbonation with either the correct PSIG of carbon dioxide (CO2) or a blend of CO2 and nitrogen. Assure all regulators are on and pressure cylinders have gas.
Maintaining consistent carbonation throughout the entire keg ensures repeat sales and eliminates revenue loss from excessive foam.
Foamy Beer
Beer that’s too foamy could indicate that the cooler is not cold enough or that the beer in the keg is too warm. The ideal beer temperature at the keg is around 38 degrees.
By the same token, the required PSI will depend on the kind of beer you’re serving. Check for recommendations for each beer type and adjust your equipment accordingly. Finally, when pouring beer, hold the glass at a 45-degree angle.
Cloudy Beer
Cloudy beer could be the result of beer stored at too low a temperature or a sign of bacteria buildup in the beer lines.
This is another reason why it’s essential to prioritize educating your staff on proper storage and scheduling regular equipment cleanings.
Unusual Beer Taste
This could be the result of several things. First, check the expiration date of the beer. Depending on the beer you’re serving, it should stay fresh on the keg between 45 days to several months.
If that’s not the issue, check the system for other culprits, such as dirty beer lines or dirty faucets.
Beer Is Not Coming Out of Tap
The most common reason is an empty keg. Yes. It’s like, have you tried turning it off and then back on? It's the beer tap edition.
If that’s not the issue, check that the keg is tapped correctly, the regulators are turned on, and the gas cylinders are full. You can monitor when you need to refill them by monitoring regulator gauges.
Find a Customized Solution for Your Space: Commercial Beer Tap Systems Made Specific to You
You wouldn’t knowingly make a bad investment in your business, right? But buying commercial beer tap systems that don’t custom fit your business and aren’t high quality is doing just that. You don’t need to take those risks; you just need the right partner.
Raise a Glass to Draft Beer Sales!
For over 60 years, Micro Matic has been recognized as one of the world’s leading suppliers of draft beer equipment. We specialize in keg-to-glass technology and offer a total solution for meeting your draft beer equipment needs. Our dedication to customer service is supported by four regional sales and distribution centers, the Micro Matic Dispense Institute for training and education, and a Certified Installer Network for draft beer installations. Want to speak with a “perfect pour” expert? Contact Micro Matic today.